Keeping WA active

Author: Terry Waldron
Published on: 09-December-2009

The importance of sport in maintaining an active and thriving community is paramount to me as Minister for Sport and Recreation as well as my constituents in the electorate of Wagin. That is why I am excited to announce that communities across the state will benefit from new and improved sporting infrastructure following the announcement of the first successful applications under the exciting new grants fund.

The first round of recipients highlight the benefits of this new program which will ensure money is spent on a wider range of sport and recreation programs across the community and the state. Projects that the grants now support include $32,000 of improvements to Netball courts in Jerramungup as well as $6,500 for the installation of 34 synthetic tee boxes at Broomehill Golf. This is just a snapshot of the new facilities now becoming available to communities.

By implementing a small grants round encourages more applications for funding through a simpler and quicker application process. The small grants are run twice a year and are for projects under $150,000. A total of $750,000 is available for allocation in each round with the next round of grants opening in February 2010.

Sport and recreation plays an important role in building stronger, healthier, happier and safer communities and with changes in commonwealth funding in sport imminent, state support for local sport is becoming even more critical. The increase in funding through grants has ensured that grass roots sport and recreation can continue to be provided for communities to be active and reap the many benefits of participation both at an individual and community level.